I have been so busy this week that I haven't been able to post all the things I've wanted to share with you. But I wanted to make a quick post today to share a video with you. This is a song in Spanish that I love to listen to over and over. Last year a family in our ward sang this song so beautifully. Since then it's been one of my favorite Christmas songs. (Thanks, Montesino family. You are awesome!!!! I wish I had a video of them to share.) It is a traditional Christmas song in Venezuela that I've heard is played as often as Silent Night. I've never been there so I don't know, but I like it.
By the way, they aren't singing about the Mexican food (burrito). Burro is Spanish for donkey and adding -ito makes it burrito, little donkey. But Elisa still says this song makes her hungry.
Con Mi Burrito Sabanero Voy Camino De Belén.
Con Mi Burrito Sabanero Voy Camino De Belén.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
El Lucerito Mañanero Ilumina Mi Sendero.
El Lucerito Mañanero Ilumina Mi Sendero.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
Con Mi Cuatrito Voy Cantando Mi Burrito Va Trotando.
Con Mi Cuatrito Voy Cantando Mi Burrito Va Trotando.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén.
Tuki Tuki Tuki Tuki, Tuki Tuki Tuki Taa
Apurate Mi Burrito. Que Ya Vamos A Llegar.
Tuki Tuki Tuki Tuki, Tuki Tuki Tuki Taa
Apurate Mi Burrito. Vamos A Ver A Jesús.
Con Mi Burrito Savanero Voy Camino De Belén
Con Mi Burrito Savanero Voy Camino De Belén
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
El Lucerito Mañanero Ilumina Mi Sendero.
El Lucerito Mañanero Ilumina Mi Sendero.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Con Mi Cuatrito Voy Cantando Mi Burrito Va Trotando.
Con Mi Cuatrito Voy Cantando Mi Burrito Va Trotando.
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Si Me Ven, Si Me Ven, Voy Camino De Belén
Mi Burrito Sabenero.
Here is a rough translation to the meaning of the song. I have searched and searched and can't find a version in English. If it were translated for a song, it would be done less literally and more beautifully, but at least you'll understand what they're singing about. (If any of my readers know of an English version, please let me know where I can find it!)
With my little plains donkey, I am on my way to Bethlehem.
If you see me, if you see me, I am on my way to Bethlehem.
The little early star illuminates my path.
I go singing on my trotting donkey.
Hurry up, my little donkey, we are almost there
Hurry up, my little donkey, we are going to see Jesus.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Toffee Chip Cheesecake Bars
This is the other dessert I took to my parents' house for Thankgiving along with the Better-Than-Brad-Pitt Brownies. It was the first time that I made them. They are from Coleen's Recipes (where Coleen is no longer posting new recipes, but you can still search her archives for delicious recipes). She used dark chocolate cocoa for the crust so I did too. I sprinkled coconut on the top of some of them and I preferred those to the bars without. The crust was dry, but besides that it was pretty good. I'll try to work with the crust part to make it better next time. I like finding recipes for those toffee bits.
Toffee Chip Cheesecake Bars
1¼ c. flour
1 cup powdered sugar
½ c. unsweetened cocoa
¼ t. baking soda
¾ c. butter 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
1½ c. English toffee bits (divided)
Preheat oven to 350º. Combine the flour, powdered sugar, cocoa and baking soda in a medium bowl; cut in butter until it is crumbly. Press firmly on the bottom of an un-greased 9" x 13" baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
Beat the cream cheese until it is fluffy then add the sweetened condensed milk, eggs and vanilla and beat until it is smooth. Stir in one cup of the English toffee bits. Pour this mixture over the hot crust. Bake for 25 minutes or until set and the very edges just start to turn golden. Cool 10 minutes and then sprinkle on the remaining one half cup of toffee bits. Cool completely, then refrigerate until the bars are cold. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Utah Local: Real Deal Mattress & Cabinets
This week's spotlight on a Utah business is Real Deal Mattress & Cabinets in Springville.
I love to go to big showrooms with many rooms all set up with furniture and accessories, but when I walked into this store, there were only a few pieces of furniture and many mattresses. I probably would have just walked right out, except that the salesman (who seemed like the owner because of things he said) came up to me. He was quick to tell me that they mostly sell through catalogs. I figured I'd give it a try so I sat down and started looking through them.
The salesman (sorry I don't remember his name) said that they sell from the same manufacturers that other big stores like (dare I say it??) R.C. Wiley, but at considerably lower prices. I was looking for furniture for my entry and found a few in the catalog. They sell items from different styles (modern, country, traditional...). The catalogs don't have prices, but he quickly looked up the prices I asked for. The prices really were less than at any other place I've been to in Utah County and north up to Salt Lake or online. As a matter of fact, on this one piece of furniture, I saved $200. They said the chest would take 7-10 days to arrive at their store and it was 9 days. They don't deliver, but they have someone who can deliver for $30. We just picked it up ourselves since it wasn't too large.
Both people I dealt with (when buying and then someone else when picking up) were very friendly and helpful. The prices seemed really good to me. It is out of the way for many people, but you can call or email them if you have a specific item and they can look up the price for you so you don't go down (or up) for nothing. They do have a few pieces in their showroom and Robin found something he wants when we went to pick up our chest. The furniture seems to be of good quality and I'm very satisfied with it.
The store is just south of exit 260 in Springville (the Walmart exit) on the west side of the freeway. It is in the first building south of the Neways building, right next to Sprinkler World. There is a big red trailer with yellow lettering on it right next to the street (you can see it from the freeway) since the store is in quite a ways from the road. 
They do have a website, but they only have a few items there. It is worth it to go look at their catalogs. Also, the owner mentioned that they have a supplier who gets them appliances and electronics at great prices which have been returned, but are still under warranty. There was a very large screen TV there for $899. Sorry I am not in the market for cabinets so I don't know anything about their variety or prices on those.
Some of their deals:
Sofa & Love Seat $549
7 Piece Bedroom Set Includes 3 piece bed frame 2 night stands 1 dresser and mirror
for only $999
for only $999
Bedroom Set Includes 3 piece frame, 1 night stand, 1 dresser and mirror $699 (For all of that!)
Real Deal Mattress & Cabinets
940 S. 2000 W.
Springville, UT 84663
801 798-7811
You can even became a fan of theirs on Facebook.
Keep Your Eyes Open for Twix!
Yesterday as I was getting ready for church, I was listening t
o Randal A. Wright’s Education Week class entitled You Have a Mission to Perform on Earth. (You can listen to it online, but there’s no written transcript available.) He mentioned one thing that had me thinking all day and then even when I was in bed trying to sleep. He said that in the Book of Mormon Laman was so bitter that he had to give up his lifestyle and inheritance in Jerusalem when the family fled into the wilderness as the Lord instructed them to. They eventually crossed the sea and landed in the promised land. Still Laman couldn’t stop thinking of the land and gold that he could have had. Brother Wright mentioned how he was bitter about this loss, but didn’t see that he now had “all of North and South America”.
So I’ve been thinking about how some people we know (and maybe sometimes us) really do dwell on their losses and do not even notice the blessings from our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to be happy. I was thinking of how to explain that to my children and thought of food (of course I would). If I had a bag of Swedish fish in my hands that I was about to eat, but suddenly it fell to the floor, I might be so disappointed about it that I’d be looking down at the floor for a long time. And maybe I’d even miss the package of Twix bars that someone left me on the counter right next to me because I wouldn’t look up. (Yeah, I could just pick up the Swedish fish and dust them off, but ewww!)
I also thought of the common saying, “When a door closes, a window opens.” Okay, that window doesn’t always open right after the door closes. And sometimes it appears that all the windows in the room are locked. But if we are too occupied looking at the door (the future we really wanted and thought was right for us), we might miss that open window (the future that really is best for us and Heavenly Father knows it).
Sometimes that window isn’t right next to the door. Sometimes that window is actually up high and I have to climb steep steps in order to get there. Why? Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy, but we can’t be really happy or progress without work and change. For example, that door that closes is a really great job that seems like it is perfect for me. I can stay sour about not getting it (or having it, but losing it) and just stay fixed on it or I can look around knowing that there is something out there for me. And when I look around I do see a window (another job) only it is up high. Instead of just walking right over to it and reaching out the window, I have to climb up those steps. I might have to learn new skills, take a few classes, maybe even move to a new city. Does that mean that it isn’t a blessing? Absolutely not. I might not have stretched and grown in this new way if it hadn’t have been for that closed door and that high window.
o Randal A. Wright’s Education Week class entitled You Have a Mission to Perform on Earth. (You can listen to it online, but there’s no written transcript available.) He mentioned one thing that had me thinking all day and then even when I was in bed trying to sleep. He said that in the Book of Mormon Laman was so bitter that he had to give up his lifestyle and inheritance in Jerusalem when the family fled into the wilderness as the Lord instructed them to. They eventually crossed the sea and landed in the promised land. Still Laman couldn’t stop thinking of the land and gold that he could have had. Brother Wright mentioned how he was bitter about this loss, but didn’t see that he now had “all of North and South America”.So I’ve been thinking about how some people we know (and maybe sometimes us) really do dwell on their losses and do not even notice the blessings from our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to be happy. I was thinking of how to explain that to my children and thought of food (of course I would). If I had a bag of Swedish fish in my hands that I was about to eat, but suddenly it fell to the floor, I might be so disappointed about it that I’d be looking down at the floor for a long time. And maybe I’d even miss the package of Twix bars that someone left me on the counter right next to me because I wouldn’t look up. (Yeah, I could just pick up the Swedish fish and dust them off, but ewww!)
I also thought of the common saying, “When a door closes, a window opens.” Okay, that window doesn’t always open right after the door closes. And sometimes it appears that all the windows in the room are locked. But if we are too occupied looking at the door (the future we really wanted and thought was right for us), we might miss that open window (the future that really is best for us and Heavenly Father knows it).
Sometimes that window isn’t right next to the door. Sometimes that window is actually up high and I have to climb steep steps in order to get there. Why? Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy, but we can’t be really happy or progress without work and change. For example, that door that closes is a really great job that seems like it is perfect for me. I can stay sour about not getting it (or having it, but losing it) and just stay fixed on it or I can look around knowing that there is something out there for me. And when I look around I do see a window (another job) only it is up high. Instead of just walking right over to it and reaching out the window, I have to climb up those steps. I might have to learn new skills, take a few classes, maybe even move to a new city. Does that mean that it isn’t a blessing? Absolutely not. I might not have stretched and grown in this new way if it hadn’t have been for that closed door and that high window.
Of course, that window could be anything, a guy you think would have been the perfect husband but got away, a degree you didn't get to earn because it was too expensive, a beautiful house with a perfect garden that isn't yours...
I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and who wants me to progress even though it isn’t always comfortable or fun. I know that even when that window is up high, He will be with me every step of the way, giving me strength, knowledge and guidance. Whatever that door is that closes, I don’t want to be like Laman, blind to his blessings and opportunities. We have so many examples of people in the scriptures and in real life of people who have moved on from difficult experiences and climbed up to those windows however high. I’m so grateful for those examples and the determination and happiness.
I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and who wants me to progress even though it isn’t always comfortable or fun. I know that even when that window is up high, He will be with me every step of the way, giving me strength, knowledge and guidance. Whatever that door is that closes, I don’t want to be like Laman, blind to his blessings and opportunities. We have so many examples of people in the scriptures and in real life of people who have moved on from difficult experiences and climbed up to those windows however high. I’m so grateful for those examples and the determination and happiness.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Open Faced Enchiladas & Tara Made Me Feel Special
Earlier this week, Connie at I Started Out as a Child posted this recipe and I wanted to try it right away. I made the enchilada sauce that she makes, but you can use canned enchilada sauce if you'd like. It was easy to make, but when I put everything on the table, my kids said, "No beans??" We are a big bean-eating family (kidney, black, pinto, lentils...) so next time I'll bake some beans to throw on top. It was a really good dinner and then the leftovers made a perfect lunch today. Here is her recipe from her blog. And if you'd like great step-by-step pics, visit Connie's blog. 
Connie's Open Faced Enchiladas
1 lb. browned ground beef
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can tomato sauce
Corn tortillas
Heat enchildada sauce and tomato sauce in skillet OR make enchilada sauce below.
Place 1 or 2 corn tortillas in bubbling sauce. Cover the tortillas with the sauce and leave for about 30 seconds. If you leave too long, they'll break apart while removing from the pan - but that's OK if they do. With a spatula remove the tortillas and place on plate. We like to put 2 tortillas at a time on our plate. Spoon a little more sauce on top.
Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, onions, cilantro, olives or anything else you'd like.
Enchilada Sauce:
2 T. vegetable oil
2 T. flour
2 T. chili powder (if you want it more mild, use 1 1/2 T.)
1/2 t. ground cumin
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
2 c. water
1 t. salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
Heat oil in large 2-quart sauce pan; stir in flour and chili powder cook for 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Makes 3 cups.
And.....!!!!!
My awesomely sweet blogger friend Tara sent me a gift that was sitting in my mail box today. It is not just any gift. It is a gorgeous and fun apron (I {heart} aprons!!!) from Flirty Aprons. And it's not even my birthday, so how special is that? Tara is a smart, hard-working, generous (as you can tell), mommy who loves her adorable kids. I'm glad I got to know her through my sister Heather. I'd share Tara's blog, but it's private. Thanks, Tara! I have loved getting to "meet" and know new ladies through blogging. I don't just mean because I got a free apron. And I'm grateful for all you other readers who come and read and share your thoughts!
Here's Elisa modeling my apron for me.
Connie's Open Faced Enchiladas1 lb. browned ground beef
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can tomato sauce
Corn tortillas
Heat enchildada sauce and tomato sauce in skillet OR make enchilada sauce below.
Place 1 or 2 corn tortillas in bubbling sauce. Cover the tortillas with the sauce and leave for about 30 seconds. If you leave too long, they'll break apart while removing from the pan - but that's OK if they do. With a spatula remove the tortillas and place on plate. We like to put 2 tortillas at a time on our plate. Spoon a little more sauce on top.
Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, onions, cilantro, olives or anything else you'd like.
Enchilada Sauce:
2 T. vegetable oil
2 T. flour
2 T. chili powder (if you want it more mild, use 1 1/2 T.)
1/2 t. ground cumin
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
2 c. water
1 t. salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
Heat oil in large 2-quart sauce pan; stir in flour and chili powder cook for 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Makes 3 cups.
And.....!!!!!
My awesomely sweet blogger friend Tara sent me a gift that was sitting in my mail box today. It is not just any gift. It is a gorgeous and fun apron (I {heart} aprons!!!) from Flirty Aprons. And it's not even my birthday, so how special is that? Tara is a smart, hard-working, generous (as you can tell), mommy who loves her adorable kids. I'm glad I got to know her through my sister Heather. I'd share Tara's blog, but it's private. Thanks, Tara! I have loved getting to "meet" and know new ladies through blogging. I don't just mean because I got a free apron. And I'm grateful for all you other readers who come and read and share your thoughts!
Here's Elisa modeling my apron for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
